Saxon Math Placement

Get your Saxon Math programs here.

Saxon Math Placement Guide

Saxon books are skill-level books, not grade-level books. It is essential that each student be placed in the text that meets his or her skill level. Success with one Saxon book strongly suggests success with the next Saxon book. The following Saxon placement test guide may be used to estimate which book a student should use.

Grade
Level		Accelerated
Student		Average
Student		Slower
Student
12th Calculus
(A.P. Calculus*)		 Advanced Math
(Geo., Trig., Alg. 4**)		 Advanced Math***
11th Advanced Math
(Pre-Calculus II*)
Calculus		 Advanced Math
(Geo., Trig., Alg. 3**)		 Algebra 2
10th Advanced Math
(Pre-Calculus I*)		 Algebra 2 Algebra 1
9th Algebra 2 Algebra 1 Algebra 1/2
8th Algebra 1 Algebra 1/2 Math 87
7th Algebra 1/2 Math 87 Math 76
6th Math 76 Math 76 Math 65
5th Math 65 Math 65 Math 54
4th Math 54 Math 54 

* Suggested course titles. Accelerated students will finish Advanced Mathematics in the first semester of eleventh grade and begin Calculus in the second semester.  Pre-Calculus I consists of the first 70-90 lessons in Advanced Mathematics.  Pre-Calculus II comprises the remaining lessons.

** Suggested course titles. The content in Geometry-Trigonometry-Algebra 3 is identical to that in Pre-Calculus I but is presented at a slower pace. Likewise, Geometry-Trigonometry-Algebra 4 is the same as Pre-Calculus II. Using these course titles allows accelerated students who are not successful in Advanced Mathematics during the tenth grade to try again and still receive credit. Students who complete  Advanced Mathematics will have taken the equivalent of two semesters of geometry, one semester of trigonometry, and one semester of advanced algebra. ("Geometry" in the course title ensures credit for geometry.)

*** These students may find the material in Advanced Mathematics difficult. Consider placing them in a less rigorous mathematics course.

Notes:

  • Math 87 covers a broad spectrum of topics that are required by the mathematical standards of many states. Considerable pre-algebra content is included, and students who complete the text successfully (80% or higher test scores) will be prepared to take Algebra 1 as their next mathematics course.
  • Algebra 1/2 focuses on developing skills that prepare students for algebra. The pre-algebra content is more extensive than the pre-algebra content of Math 87; however, the scope is narrower.